Tube assembly machine



Aug. 29, 1950 D. e. SOUSSLOFF ETAL 2,520,224

TUBE ASSEMBLY MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 11, 1944 E E w "r||| will 1111 Ill I N V EN TOR.

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Aug. 29, 1950 D. G. SOUSSLOFF ETAL TUBE ASSEMBLY MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 11, 1944 HEM Humi -flu I I III I ll r l INVENTOR.

D.G. SOUSSLOF FT s x Y U m m R m w P T A R patented Aug. 29, 1955 TUBE ASSEMBLY MACHINE Dimitri G. Soussloif, New York, N. Y., and Rene P. Piperoux, Radburn, N. J., assignors to Gelanese @orpcration of America, acorporation of Delaware Application November 11, 1944, Serial No. 563,074

This invention relates to a tube assembly machine, and relates more particularly to a semiautomatic machine for capping tubes, especially tubes having a basis of a thermoplastic material.

Heretofore, tubes made of thermoplastic material were assembled by hand, the operator holding a tube in one hand placing a cap on to the tube with the other hand and then applying cement with a brush around the edge of the cap. This was a slow, inefiicient and uneconomical method, resulting in many defective tubes. It is, accordingly, an important object of this invention to provide a semi-automatic machine for capping tubes which will be free from the abovementioned and other disadvantages and which will be especially simple in construction and efiicient in operation.

In its broadest aspect, our invention comprises a frame on which are supported a pair of sprockets carrying and driving a chain having mounted thereon mandrel assemblies for p receiving tubes and caps. The frame also supports cement supplies and applicators for applying cement to the capped tubes, means for pressing down the caps, a drying duct for leading heated air to the capped tube for drying the applied cement, and means for automatically removing the cemented and dried capped tubes.

Other objects of this invention, together with certain details of construction and combinations of parts, will appear from the following detailed description and claims.

In the accompanying drawings: a

Figure l is a side elevational view of the machine of my invention, partly in section,

Figure 2 is a top plan 'viewthereof, Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3-3 in the direction of the arrows in Figure 1, on an enlarged scale, and

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4-4 in the direction of the arrows in Figure l, on a slightly enlarged scale.

Like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings for a detailed description of this invention, reference numeral 5 indicates a frame on which are supported substantially all of the elements making up my novel machine. nuts or bolts 6, bearings T in which are journaled a shaft 8 and a shaft 9. To each of shafts 8 and Thus, to frame 5 are attached, as by 18 Claims. (01. 93-55.1)

2 connecting said sprocket wheel with a sprocket wheel I 6 fixed to the end of a shaft ll of a motor l8 suitably attached to frame 5 by means of bolts l9. Means are provided for supporting the chain It between sprockets H and I2. On its upper run, the chain is supported by a rail 2| carried by'a framework 22 supported on the main frame 5, the rail being maintained in position by means of angle irons 23 fixed to framework 22 by means of bolts 24. On its lower run, the chain is is supported on a rail 25 mounted on an I beam 25 supported on a cross piece 27 suitably attached to main frame 5.

Double mandrel assemblies are mounted at suitable intervals, say every six inches, along chain i3; These mandrel assemblies comprise angle clips 26 which are fixed to a pin 21, pass-' ing through and held in the links of chain it. To each of said clips 26 are fixed plates 28 into which are inserted mandrel bushings 29. Mandrels 3: are journaled in said bushings and carry at their lower end grooved pulleys 32 attached to said mandrel 3| by means of a collar 33 and a pin 34. Alsomounted on mandrel 3| is a, collar 35 which may be integral with bushings 29 to which is fixed, as by means of a screw 36, a leaf spring 31 for the purpose hereinafter set forth. The upper end of the mandrel is conical in shape to facilitate the insertion thereon of the tubes 38.

Suitably mounted on framework 22 and on framework 39 are containers 5! adapted to hold cement which is to be applied to the tubes by means of a wick 42 extending into the cement and through a suitable opening 43 in the upper part of container 4| Following the first cementing station is a pressing device for pressing the caps placed on the tubes into position, said cap pressing device comprising two metallic strips 44 curved upwardly at the end thereof and attached to pins 45 which are mounted for vertical move ment in bearings '46 carried by a superstructure 4! mounted on framework 22. are carried by pins 45 to maintain the metallic strips 44 in their lowermost position. A similar cap pressing device, generally indicated by reference numeral 49, follows the second cementing station and is supported on framework 39. Following the second cementing station and second cap pressing device are drying ducts 5| through which is forced heated air'by means of a blower 52, the air being heated by suitable heating means, generally indicated by reference numeral 53.

In Figure 4 are shown two identical take-off devices for removing the capped tubes from the Light springs 48' mandrels. Each take-off device comprises a pair of rubber rolls 54 mounted at the end of rods 55 which are pivoted at 56 and held in operative position by means of springs 51. These springs pull the roller downwardly against a predetermined stop 53. Any suitable means may be provided for positively rotating the rollers. An endless belt arrangement, generally indicated by reference numeral 59, may be provided underneath the take-off device for carrying off the capped tubes and passing them into a suitable container 6|. The endless belt arrangement may'comprise a belt 62 carried on rollers 63 journaled in bearings 64 fixed to a platform '65 carried by the frame 5. A motor 66 may be provided fordriving belt 62 through suitable connections. Hoppers 61 provided with plates 68 are adapted to contain a supply of tubes 38, and caps 69 are carried on plates H within easy reach of the operator.

In operation, operators remove tubes 38 from plates 58 and place them on mandrels 3! as the mandrels go by, care being taken that the tubes bottom on collar 35. The same or a different operator takes caps 59 from plates H and places them over the tops of the tubes. Such caps are preferably not pressed all the way down on the tubes, this being done by the metallic strips 44 after the cement is applied to the tubes by Wicks 42 It will be noted from Figure2 that plates H extend for a considerable distance :along the length of the conveyor so that the operator putting the caps on the tubes has access to a relatively large number of mandrels carrying the tubes.

As the capped tubes reach and pass the first cementing station and enter beneath the strips IQ of the pressing device, the grooved rollers 32 engage stationary conical strips 12, attached to the framework 41 of said pressing device. The conical strips 12 cause the mandrels, tubes and caps to turn. The strips 44 cause the caps to be pushed down until they bottom against the upper end of mandrel 3|, thus maintaining a uniform overall length of capped tubes. The pressure of the strips on the caps impede somewhat the rotation thereof causing the cap and'tube to move relative to each other so that the cement applied by wick 42 may be spread alon the periphery of the cap within the small area of the tube surface adjacent to the cap. The capped tubes-then pass the second cementing station where additional cement is wiped on to the tubes, and are again pressed down by means of the cap pressing device 49. The tubes then pass through the horizontal portion of hot air duct where the cement is dried and pass on to the take-ofi device where they are stripped from the mandrel and fall on to belt 62 which conveys them to'container 8|- The mandrels are so machined as to have a length L between the collar-35 and the top of the mandrel, which length is equal to the' desired overall length of tube and cap assembly. The tubes are preferably cut slightly shorter than the length L and when placed on the mandrels it is made certain that they bottom on collar 35. The caps are put over the tubes so that 'theybottom on the top of the mandrels. With that arrangement, there may be slightly more or .less space between the cap and the edge of the tube, the variation being that of the tube cutting tolerance. The overall length of the capped tube, however; always remains the same, i. e. equal to length L.

It is to be understood that the foregoing dctailed description is merely given by way of iilustration and that many variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit of our invention.

Having described our invention, what we desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A tube assembly machine comprising a pinrality of traveling mandrel assemblies, the mandrels of which are adapted to receive tubes on which caps are placed, means for applying cement to said tubes for cementing said caps thereon, fixed means in the path of said traveling mandrel assemblies for rotating said mandrels for a. substantial distance before and after the cement applying means, means for holding said caps against rotation, and means for removing capped tubes from said mandrels.

2. A tube assembly machine comprising a plurality of traveling mandrel assemblies, the mandrels of which are adapted to receive tubes on which caps are placed, means for applying cement to said tubes for cementing said caps thereon, means for rotatingsaid tubes relative to said caps, and means for removing said capped tubes from said mandrels.

3. A tube assembly machine comprising a plurality of traveling mandrel assemblies, the mandrels of which are adapted to receive tubes on which caps are placed, means for applying cement to said tubes for cementing said caps thereon, means for rotating said mandrels and thereby said tubes, means for applying pressure on said caps to hold them against rotation 50 as to cause relative rotary movement between said capsand said tubes, and meansfor removing-said capped tubes from said mandrels.

4. A tube assembly machine comprising a plurality of traveling mandrel assemblies, the mandrels of which are adapted to receive tubes on which caps are placed, a plurality of means for applying cement to said tubes for cementing said caps thereon, means for rotating said mandrels and thereby said tubes, a plurality of means for applying pressure on said caps to hold them against rotation so as to cause relative rotary movement between said caps and said tubes, and means for removingsaid capped tubes from said mandrels.

5,. A tube assembly. machine comprising a plurality of traveling mandrel assemblies, the man-. drels of which are adapted to receive tubes on which caps are placed, a plurality of means for applying cement to said-tubes for cementing said caps thereon, fixed means in the path of said traveling mandrel assemblies for rotating said mandrels, a plurality of means for applying pressure on said caps to hold them against rotation so as .to cause relative rotary movement between said caps and said tubes, means for applying heated air to said capped tubes for drying the applied cement, and means for removing said capped tubes from said mandrels.

6. A tube assembly machine comprising a positively driven endless chain,a plurality of traveling mandrel assemblies carried by said chain for movement therewith, the mandrels on said assemblies being adapted to receive tubes on which caps are placed, fixed means in the path of said traveling mandrel assemblies for applying cement to said tubes for cementing said caps thereon, means for rotating said mandrels for a substantial distance before and after the cement applying means, means for holding said caps against rotation, and means for removing capped tubes from said mandrels.

'7, A tube assembly machine comprising a positively driven endless chain, a plurality of traveling mandrel assemblies carried by said chain for movement therewith, the mandrels on said assemblies being adapted to receive tubes on whichscaps are placed, means for applying cement to said tubes for cementing said caps thereon, means for rotating said tubes relative to said caps, and means for removing said capped tubes from said mandrels.

8. A tube assembly machine comprising a positively driven endless chain, a plurality of traveling mandrel assemblies carried by said chain for movement therewith, the mandrels on said assemblies being adapted to receive tubes on which caps are placed, means for applying cement to said tubes for cementing said caps thereon, means for rotating said mandrels and thereby said tubes, means for applying pressure on said caps to hold them against rotation so as to cause relative rotary movement between said caps and said tubes, and means for removing said capped tubes from said mandrels.

9. A tube assembly machine comprising a positively driven endless chain, a plurality of traveling mandrel assemblies carried by said chain for movement therewith, the mandrels on said assemblies being adapted to receive tubes on which caps are placed, means for applying cement to said tubes for cementing said caps thereon, fixed means in the path of said travelingmandrel assemblies for rotating said mandrels, means for applying pressure on said caps to hold them against rotation so as to cause relative rotary movement between said caps and said tubes, means for drying the applied cement, and means for removing said capped tubes from said mandrels.

10. A tube assembly machine comprising a positively driven endless chain, a plurality of traveling mandrel assemblies carried by said chain for movement therewith, the mandrels on said assemblies being adapted to receive tubes on which caps-are placed, a plurality of means for applying cement to said tubes for cementing said caps thereon, means for rotating said mandrels and thereby said tubes, a plurality of means for applying pressure on said caps to hold them against rotation so as to cause relative rotary movement between said caps and said tubes, and means for removing said capped tubes from said mandrels.

11. A tube assembly machine comprising a positively driven endless chain, a plurality of traveling mandrel assemblies carried by said chain for movement therewith, the mandrels on said assemblies being adapted to receive tubes on which caps are placed, a plurality of means for applying cement to said tubes for cementing said caps thereon, fixed means in the path of said traveling mandrel assemblies for rotating said mandrels, a plurality of means for applying pressure on said caps to hold them against rotation so as to cause relative rotary movement between said caps and said tubes, means for applying heated air to said capped tubes for drying the applied cement, and means for removing said capped tubes from said mandrels.

12. A tube assembly machine comprising a positively driven endless chain, a plurality of bearing members carried by said chain, a mandrel rotatably supported in each of said bearing members, said mandrels being adapted to receive tubes on which caps are placed, means for applying cement to said tubes for cementing said caps thereon, fixed means in the path of said traveling mandrel assemblies for rotating said mandrels for a substantial distance before and after the cement applying means, means for holding said caps against rotation, and means for removing capped tubes from said mandrels.

13. A tube assembly machine comprising a positively driven endless chain, a plurality of bearing members carried by said chain, a mandrel rotatably supported in each of said bearing members, said mandrels being adapted to receive 1tubes on which caps are placed, means iorapplying cement to said tubes for cementing 'said caps thereon, means for rotating said mandrels and thereby said tubes, means for applying pressure on said caps to hold them against rotation so as to cause relative rotary movement between said caps and said tubes, and means for removing said capped tubes from said mandrels.

14. A tube assembly machine comprising a positively driven endless chain, a plurality of bearing members carried by said chain, a mandrel rotatably supported in each of said bearing members, said mandrels being adapted to receive tubes on which caps are placed, means for applying cement to said tubes for cementing said caps thereon, fixed means in the path of said traveling mandrel assemblies for rotating said mandrels, means for applying pressure on said caps to hold them against rotation so as to cause relative rotary movement between said caps and said tubes, means for drying the applied cement, and means for removing said capped tubes from said mandrels.

15. A tube assembly machine comprising a positively driven endless chain, a plurality of bearing members carried by said chain, a mandrel rotatably supported in each of said bearing members, said mandrels being adapted to receive tubes on which caps are placed, a plurality of means for applying cement to said tubes for cementing said caps thereon, means for rotating said mandrels and thereby said tubes, a plurality of means for applying pressure on said caps to hold them against rotation so as to cause relative rotary movementbetween said caps and said tubes, and means for removing said capped tubes from said mandrels.

16. A tube assembly machine comprising a positively driven endless chain, a plurality of bearing members carried by said chain, a mandrel rotatably supported in each of said bearing members, said mandrels being adapted to receive tubes on which caps are placed, a plurality of means for applying cement to said tubes for cementing said caps thereon, fixed means in the path of said traveling mandrel assemblies for rotating said mandrels, a plurality of means for applying pressure on said caps to hold them against rotation so as to cause relative rotary movement between said caps and said tubes, means for applying heated air to said capped tubes for drying the applied cement, and means for removing said capped tubes from said mandrels.

17. A tube assembly machine comprising a positively driven endless chain, a plurality of bearing members carried by said chain, a mandrel rotatably supported in each of said bearing members, said mandrels being adapted to receive tubes on which caps are placed, a plurality of means for applying cement to said tubes for cementing said caps thereon, means for rotating said mandrels and thereby said tubes, a plurality of means for applying pressure on said caps to hold them against rotation so as to cause relafive rotarymovement betweensaid caps and said tubes, and positively driven means for removing said capped tubes from said mandrels.

18. A tube assembly machine comprising a positively driven endless chain, a plurality of bearing members carried by said chain, a mandrel rotatably supported in each of said bearing members, said mandrels being adapted to receive tubes on which caps are placed, a plurality of means for applying cement to said tubes :for

cementing said caps thereon, fixed means in the path of said traveling mandrel assemblies for rotating said mandrels, a pluralityof means for applying pressure on said caps to. hold them against rotation so as to cause relative rotary movement between said caps and said tube,

8 means tor'spplying heated air to said capped tubestor drying the applied cement and positively driven means 10: removing :said. capped tubes from said mandrels.

DIMITRI G. SOUSSLOFI"; RENE P. PIPEROUX.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of 'record in the 10 file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,201,319 'Loufeket a1 Oct. 17, 1916 5 1,393,274 Ferguson Oct.l1, 1921 

